Red Line:
Work on the Red Line subway between Clark/Division and Grand, between Wilson and Sheridan, and on the southbound track between Morse and Loyola was completed in 2007. Progress was made on all four tracks (Red and Brown lines) between Armitage and Diversey during 2007.
Slow zone elimination on the remaining portion of the Red Line subway and on all four tracks (Red and Brown lines) between Diversey and Wellington is currently underway and will be complete by the end of 2008. Work between Belmont and Sheridan stations is expected to be completed in Summer 2009.
Loop Elevated:
Beginning in May 2008, slow zone elimination and track renewal will begin on the Lake Street and Wabash Avenue sides of the Loop Elevated in downtown. Construction involves the upgrade of approximately 10,000 feet of track. When the project is completed at the end of 2008, customers will experience more reliable and efficient rail service.
While work is underway, one or both tracks on the Lake and Wabash sides of the Loop Elevated will close on:
- 14 weekends (10 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday): May 9-11, May 16-18, June 13-15, June 20-22, July 11-13, July 18-20, August 8-10, August 22-24, September 5-7, September 12-14, September 19-21, September 26-28, October 3-5, October 17-19, October 31-November 2, and November 7-9 (dates subject to change)
- Most weeknights (10 p.m. until 4 a.m. the following morning)
During periods when the Lake and Wabash sides of the Loop Elevated are closed, all trains that normally operate on the Loop during night and weekend hours – the Orange, Green, Pink, and Brown lines – will operate on the Wells and Van Buren sides of the Loop, making all stops. The Red Line will also operate via the Wells and Van Buren sides of the Loop on nights and weekends when it is operating on the Loop Elevated instead of in the subway. Three types of track closures will require rail service to be rerouted in the Loop:
- Both Tracks Closed: Brown, Green, and Orange line trains will operate on the Wells and Van Buren sides of the Loop. Pink Line trains will operate between 54th/Cermak and Ashland, where customers may transfer to the Green Line to Downtown.
- Inner Loop Track Closed Only: Orange and Pink line trains will operate on the Outer Loop track – the same side regularly used by the Brown Line. Southbound Green Line trains will operate on the Wells and Van Buren sides of the Loop.
- Outer Loop Track Closed Only: Brown Line trains will operate on the Inner Loop track– the same side regularly used by the Orange and Pink lines. Northbound Green Line trains will operate on the Wells and Van Buren sides of the Loop.
When trains are rerouted to the Wells and Van Buren sides of the Loop, free, accessible transfers can be made between the Library and Jackson stations.
- Service Alerts & Construction Notices:
- Loop Slow Zone Elimination Project flyer (PDF)
- Loop Slow Zone Elimination Project poster (PDF)
- Loop Reroute Maps:
